The Exception

Chapter 12: My Secret Hobby, A Nasty Rumour And A Knight in Shining Armour

"Mom," I moaned, glaring at her as she tried to subtly bring out her camera. She grinned and tucked it away. 

"Ok, ok," she sighed. "It's just, you are so good at it...yet you only want to perform it for me...such a waste of beautiful talent."

"Yeah, well, I don't like being on stage all that much...I am happy just doing it for you," I placed my violin nimbly on my chin and took a deep breath.  I started playing, a small soft tune, then it grew louder and I started dancing.  My passion started after watching Lindsay Stirling, and it grew. I lifted my feet up, dancing to the beat of my own violin, and the rush flowed into me. I started playing faster and kicked my leg up. My mother was beaming as I danced across the room. I took deep breathes, focusing on my rhythm, my movement and especially how I was playing on the violin. After a good three to four minutes I came to a stop and curtsied. My mom jumped up and applauded me. She gave me a tight hug.

"You are so good, baby," she kissed me on the forhead and I laughed.

"Too much?"

"Just a little, yeah," I responded. I packed away my violin in its case.

The door opened, and I smiled.

"Dad..."

                                                                                                         ***

"I can't believe the weekend is tomorrow, you must join us for some bowling," Ellie grinned at me and I shook my head.

"I can't, I start work this weekend," I said and grimaced. Maybe I should have volunteered for the weekend thereafter, but what could I do?

"Ahh," Ellie pouted. "That sucks."

"You're telling me," I said. I took out a lolly from my lunch bag and started to suck. We were in the cafeteria, and it was a long day for a Friday. The teachers were leaving us with a big heap of homework and now I had work on top off. However, I made the commitment to pay back those hospital fees. I intended to keep it.

"So, why'd you disappear so quickly, last night?" Ellie asked me as she took a toffee from my box.

"Made a commitment to spend some time with my mom," I answered. It was a half-truth.

"Oh," Ellie answered. She glanced back to Tyler, who was sitting at the table with his pals. They were playing  a game next week against another school. And rumour was that Evan was also going to perform for the school. The school was abuzz over the fact that both Evan and Tyler were single and "ready to mingle" so to speak. 

"Well, at least come sleepover on Sunday...we'll have a fab girl's night..."

"Does it qualify if your brother is there?" I asked.

Ellie shrugged. "The moment you mention nail-polish, he's out that door. The fumes give him headaches and he doesn't do chic-flicks either. So, don't worry, he'll be staying the best place possible...his man-cave."

I laughed and nodded. "I'll check with my mom, but I'd love that. And you should come over and stay in my place sometime."

Ellie's eyes lit up. "Definitely!"

"Hey Agnus..." I looked up to see the same guy Johnny standing side-by-side with Sally. He draped his arm over her shoulder. 

"What do you want?" Ellie snapped.

"Chill, I just had a question for our favourite newcomer..." Johnny looked at me and I wanted to disappear. He just could not back off could he?

"What?" I asked coldly. I gripped my cup at the table.